Uttar Pradesh govt responsible for toddy consumption deaths, says Congress

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Sunday demanded a high-level probe into the death of seven persons from consumption of toddy in Azamgarh district’s Kewathiya village. [caption id=“attachment_463957” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of toddy plantation. AFP[/caption] A delegation led by state Congress senior vice-president Rajesh Mishra will also visit the village and interact with the families of the victims, a party statement said here. Holding the state government responsible for the incident, the party alleged that illegal liquor trade was “flourishing” in Uttar Pradesh. “The illegal liquor trade is flourishing under the patronage of the (state) government, which eventually results in tragedies like this,” Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar said in the statement. Condoling the deaths, he alleged that the law and order situation in the state had deteriorated and the confidence level of criminals was at an all time high. The victims had consumed toddy on 6 July and the first five deaths were reported the following day. On Saturday, the toll mounted to seven after two more persons died during treatment at a hospital in the district. Since the incident, 12 people have been hospitalised, a senior police official said, adding that eight people have been arrested since 7 July and 1,000 litres of toddy seized in raids. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had taken a strong note of the deaths after which three policemen and six employees of the excise department were suspended.